Friday, October 21, 2011

iOS5: The iPhone ... Could not be synced because the sync session failed to start

iOS5 continues to be a problem.  One of the main complaints is an error encountered when attempting to sync an iPhone or iPod to iTunes:

"The iPhone [device name] Could not be synced because the sync session failed to start"

Several work-arounds have been suggested including simply restarting the iOS device. One procedure that seems to work well is to remove the device backups from iTunes.  Before you do this, make sure you backup your backups folder: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
  • Connect your device and open iTunes
  • Go to Preferences/Devices
  • Delete all backups
  • Click "OK"
  • Restart iTunes and attempt another sync
Sometimes you may see duplicate backups listed.  I found that by deleting all but one backup also allows the device to sync.

Apple's iOS troubleshooting page has some good tips:  http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529
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35 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 13, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Yay, this worked for me, thanks.

    For Windows users, the folder is c:\users\\appdata\roaming\apple computer\mobilesync\backup

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 17, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    Ya it worked for me too..
    Thnks 4 the help

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  3. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Worked perfect thanks very much!

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  4. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    thanks , it worked perfectly on my ipod ;) thankyou thankyou very much appreciate lot ;)

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  5. AnonymousDecember 6, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    Yay! worked for me as well, thanks buddy

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  6. AnonymousDecember 14, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Thanks, it worked for me, after deleting the backup. Good clear instructions thanks!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 23, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Thanks a lot dear :-)

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  8. AnonymousDecember 28, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Helped us out here too, great post!

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  9. sheriJanuary 2, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    yayers! worked, thanks!

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    this was awesome thank you so much

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    Still working. Scoured Apple's site and 1/2 dozen others, but yours was the solution that worked. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    Thank you so much! That was a quick easy fix for my daughter's ipod!! Appreciate the simple directions for a beginner like myself! Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2012 at 12:00 AM

    Yup worked for me too (iPhone 4 with iOS 5 syncing to Windows 7). Many thanks!

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  14. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    Thanks so much - it was driving me nuts, but this worked perfectly - and so simple!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    I didn't see a MobileSync folder, but otherwise this worked perfectly. Thanks.

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Perfect solution. Thank you very much!!

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    diddnt work for me!! its still giving me the same error.. please help man

    ReplyDelete
  18. EclïpseFebruary 1, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    If the above doesn't work for you, try resetting the lockdown folder.

    For Windows Vista / 7, follow these steps:

    1. Disconnect all iOS devices from your computer and quit iTunes.

    2.Open Computer from the Start menu.

    3. Choose Organize > Folder and search options in the file-browser window, then click the View tab and change the "Hidden files and folders" option to "Show hidden files and folders." Click OK.

    4. Navigate to the following folder on your computer:
    C:\ProgramData\Apple

    5. Delete the Lockdown folder.

    6. Reconnect your iOS device and open iTunes.

    For other computers, check here http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2529 (option 6).

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2012 at 1:30 AM

    This helped me. Thank you.

    Running: iPad2 / iTunes 10.5.2.11 / Win 7 x64

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 2:04 AM

    Outstanding advice! Worked like a charm.
    Thank you.

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  21. AnonymousMarch 12, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    It worked. Thanks a lot

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  22. AnonymousMarch 22, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    This worked perfectly. Thanks!!

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  23. AnonymousMarch 25, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    Thanks. Greetings from Bangalore. I worked really well.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AsterboiApril 28, 2012 at 1:38 AM

    This solution REALLY WORKS!
    Thank you so much Macninja!
    More power to you! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousApril 30, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    Perfect! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousMay 6, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    This works! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. hemanthJune 6, 2012 at 11:50 AM

    both the lockdown thing and the preferences thing hvnt worked!! :( any idea y the problem persists!?

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousJune 20, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    neither lockdown reset, nor deleting backup work. Any ideas?

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  29. ratnJune 23, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    Thanks
    worked

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  30. FrankAugust 1, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    Nope, none of this has worked. Neither have any of Apple's tips. I may have to call them, but no time today.

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousAugust 21, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    Thanks a lot !! it works for me

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  32. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    Thank you! It worked :D

    ReplyDelete
  33. RustyAugust 26, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    Awesome.. that instructions are really working on my part. Thanks anyway. - you can check here

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownOctober 8, 2013 at 4:33 AM

    dont delete your backups, leave your device plugged, turn it off and close itunes as well. then turn your device back on and it will sync again.
    you could also close itunes and reopen

    ReplyDelete
  35. check over hereJanuary 22, 2024 at 1:37 AM

    There are plenty of great web and mobile apps which can be found via online, but push notification undoubtedly save you time and money by sending push messages straight away to the devices in just a couple of seconds.

    ReplyDelete